Local Schools Receive New Funding to Boost STEAM Opportunities

Staff Report

Seven school systems and four individual schools across Western North Carolina are set to benefit from a major investment in STEAM education thanks to a new grant from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation.

The “Bridging the Gap with STEM-E²” grant will expand access to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) learning for students from elementary through high school. The funding supports mobile science unit field trips, classroom entrepreneurship projects, hands-on STEAM activities, and professional development opportunities for teachers.

Local districts included in the award span a wide portion of Western North Carolina: Cherokee Central, Cherokee County, Clay County, Graham County, Haywood County, Macon County, and Swain County. New Kituwah Academy, Mountain Discovery Charter School, Shining Rock Classical Academy, and Catamount School are also part of the program.

Officials say the grant will equip teachers and students with the tools needed to strengthen STEAM literacy and build a more prepared future workforce in the region. The initiative is a partnership between participating schools, the Western Region Education Service Alliance (WRESA), and The Mountain Satellite Office of The Science House at NC State.

The Cherokee Preservation Foundation—well-known for its support of education, cultural preservation, and community development—continues its commitment with this investment in hands-on, experience-driven learning.

Local educators say the funding will help bring new opportunities to rural students who often have limited access to advanced STEAM resources. With mobile science units, expanded classroom options, and teacher training, schools hope to spark interest in fields that are becoming increasingly vital in today’s economy.

The program will roll out across participating schools over the coming months, giving students throughout the region a chance to explore, experiment, and discover in new and engaging ways.